Wigan repeat domestic abuse crimes fall sharply

Repeat domestic abuse crimes in Wigan Borough have fallen by 45.6 per cent over three years, according to figures from Greater Manchester Police shared by Wigan Council.

The number of repeat offences linked to the same perpetrator dropped from 4,252 in 2023 to 2,313 in 2025/26. The council says the reduction follows early-intervention work, victim support and offender-management activity led through Wigan Borough Community Safety Partnership.

For anyone at immediate risk, police should be contacted through 999. Non-emergency reports can be made to Greater Manchester Police on 101 or through its online Live Chat service, and anonymous information can be passed to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Repeat abuse figures show a three-year fall

The largest change reported by the council is in repeated domestic abuse crimes, where the same perpetrator is linked to further offending. That measure matters because repeat abuse often carries ongoing risk for victims and survivors, even when individual incidents appear separate in crime records.

The number of victims experiencing repeat victimisation has also fallen by about one-third, from 1,399 to 927. Total domestic abuse crime across the borough has reduced by 21 per cent since 2023.

Those figures point to a clear reduction in recorded repeat harm, but they do not prove that abuse has ended for every victim. Domestic abuse can remain hidden, and changes in reporting behaviour can affect recorded crime totals.

Protection orders now form part of the local response

Wigan saw the sharpest decline in repeat-related harm between 2024 and 2025, after Domestic Abuse Protection Orders, known as DAPOs, were introduced locally.

DAPOs were created under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. They can stop perpetrators from contacting or approaching victims, including at their home address. They can also require perpetrators to engage with behaviour-change programmes or other support services.

There are currently 102 live DAPOs across Wigan Borough. Police can apply for an order, but victims can also apply through the courts, or someone else can apply on their behalf.

Councillor Kevin Anderson, cabinet portfolio holder for police, crime and civil contingencies, said the orders had been “instrumental” in reducing repeated crimes. He also said reductions had begun before DAPOs were introduced, suggesting wider safeguarding, investigation and offender-management work also played a part.

Support remains central even as recorded harm falls

The council’s message is that lower recorded crime does not remove the need for support. Victims and survivors may still be living with risk, fear, financial control, stalking, harassment or pressure from a perpetrator after incidents fall from official statistics.

Through Wigan Borough Community Safety Partnership, the local response includes independent domestic violence advisers, police and charity partners. The partnership also promotes the Love Is Not Abuse campaign, which is aimed at improving awareness and routes into help.

Readers looking at how other councils are framing practical support can compare Wigan’s approach with domestic abuse safety guidance during major public events.

Chief Superintendent Clare Jenkins, District Commander for Wigan, said DAPOs had strengthened the response to domestic abuse and helped protect victims and survivors across Greater Manchester.

“We want every survivor of domestic abuse to know that they will be listened to, believed, and supported,” she said.

How residents can report abuse or pass on information

Wigan Council and Greater Manchester Police are urging people to report domestic abuse where it is safe to do so.

Anyone in immediate danger should call 999. Non-emergency reports can be made to Greater Manchester Police via 101 or the force’s Live Chat function online. Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Councillor Anderson said: “While these figures show a reduction it does not necessarily mean that the abuse is over for victims. We must continue to be there for victims and survivors, while also encouraging people to report incidents when possible.”

Source: Wigan Council